Whether you are a healthy, active individual who would like to
volunteer to walk dogs, or an older person who would like a
quiet, gentle pet to cuddle and care for, the Fairfax County
Animal Shelter has a pet or opportunity to suit your unique
situation.

Adoption Incentives:

Every Wednesday from April through August 2013, seniors ages
55 and over who adopt will receive a free spay or neuter on
every pet. Seniors who adopt a pet age seven or
older will receive a free adoption and a free spay or
neuter.

Volunteering and fostering are great ways to receive the
emotional and physical benefits of interacting with animals
without having to commit to ownership.

We are recruiting older adults to participate in volunteer and
foster programs at the Shelter. We hold regular open
house tours and information sessions for older adults who are
interested in volunteering. If you attend one of these
sessions, you will learn about the Shelter, its programs and
the many available volunteer and foster opportunities.

You don’t need to have email to be a volunteer or foster at
the Fairfax County Animal Shelter! While e-mail is the
most common form of communication between staff and volunteers,
the Shelter staff will work with older adult volunteers and
foster parents via telephone when requested.

Seniors who need assistance purchasing food or supplies for
their pet can receive assistance through one of the food pantry
programs that the Fairfax County Animal Shelter supports.
Please call the Shelter at 703-830-1100 to learn more about how
to get food assistance.

Shelter Tours and Outreach:

We offer Shelter tours to groups of all ages.
Contact the Community Outreach Program Manager to schedule
a tour. Tour groups will have opportunities for hands-on
interaction with some of our adoptable pets. In addition,
we are developing a core of volunteers who will bring our
adoptable pets to community centers, libraries and
villages.

Post Adoption Follow Up Services

The staff at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter is committed to
helping new pet owners at every step. Senior adopters
will receive follow-up phone calls and e-mails after adoption
and will also have access to our Pet Resources email and
telephone helpline, where they can contact Shelter staff any
time to ask questions about resources, behavior or pet-friendly
senior housing.

Peace of Mind Network for Senior Adopters

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is committed to ensuring
that our adopted pets are cared for their entire lives.
If one of our adopters is no longer able to care for their pet
or if the adopter passes, the staff and volunteers at the
Shelter will work one-on-one with the adopter and their family
to evaluate the animal and guide the adopter and their family
towards the most appropriate resources.

Pet Bereavement Support Group

Losing a pet can be devastating, especially to older
adults. A pet bereavement support group is held the third
Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm. Please contact the
Shelter for more information about this and other
programs.

Rabbits as Pets

Not sure a cat or dog is the right choice for you?
Consider a rabbit when deciding on your next pet. Rabbits can
make great pets for older adults. They are often
friendly, playful and affectionate. They can live in a
contained space in a home, room or apartment and they can even
be potty trained! They have an average life span of 8 to
12 years. Every rabbit adopted from the Fairfax
County Animal Shelter comes with a free spay and neuter and
seniors get a one-on-one rabbit care and enrichment
consultation with a volunteer or staff person.